Almost nobody uses Rattata in battle. It exists to evolve into Raticate, which is a completely different story. Get it there and you won't regret it. Known as the Mouse Pokemon. An original Gen 1 pick.
Speed and Attack carry most of Rattata's stat budget. Sp. Atk's the obvious dump stat. Easy to catch and yields 1 Speed EV. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
It’s cautious in the extreme, and its hardy vitality lets it live in any kind of environment.
Rattata Weakness
GoodRattata's Normal typing leaves it vulnerable to Fighting moves. It shrugs off Ghost-type attacks completely. Just 1 weak spot to worry about, which keeps teambuilding straightforward.
One evolution ahead. Rattata grows into Raticate through a straightforward two-stage chain. A massive partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are quick to hatch. The evolved forms gain up to 160 total stats over Rattata.
How to Evolve
One guaranteed turn is all Rattata needs. Focus Sash buys it, max Attack and Speed EVs make it count, and Guts adds something extra. The goal: deal early damage and deal damage with Endeavor. The remaining moves gives it play beyond just the lead turn.
Best Build
Best Rattata Moveset
- Quick Attack
- Endeavor
- Unknown
- Protect
STAB runs through Double-Edge and Take Down for the basics, but Rattata's real strength is the 10-type coverage spread. Dark and Ice hit common defensive types, and the movepool keeps going.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Level-up moves are just the starting point for Rattata. TMs unlock coverage across 7 types and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Double-Edge and Hyper Fang into something with actual range.
STAB runs through Last Resort and Skull Bash for the basics, but Rattata's real strength is the 13-type coverage spread. Dark and Ice hit common defensive types, and the movepool keeps going.
STAB runs through Last Resort and Skull Bash for the basics, but Rattata's real strength is the 11-type coverage spread. Dark and Ice hit common defensive types, and the movepool keeps going.
A solid number of locations for Rattata with moderate rates across mid-game routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.
Best Locations
walking encounters for Rattata across 14 spots at Lv. 20-63. The catch is that Shining Pearl and Brilliant Diamond don't share every location, so compare what's available in your version.
Rattata is available from early-game routes onward at high spawn rates. 40 encounter spots give you plenty of options. Grab one early and it'll be ready to evolve or train by mid-game.
Best Locations
40 walking and trade encounters at Lv. 3-44 for Rattata across Let's Go Eevee and Let's Go Pikachu. A few locations are version-exclusive, so your copy of the game affects what's available.
Rattata is available from early-game routes onward at high spawn rates. 21 encounter spots give you plenty of options. Grab one early and it'll be ready to evolve or train by mid-game.
Best Locations
Rattata's encounter pool splits between Ultra Moon and Ultra Sun. You've got 21 walking spots at Lv. 2-20 total, but your version determines which ones actually show up.
Rattata's scattered across 34 spots in early-game routes with high spawn rates. Check the list below for the closest location to wherever you are in the game. This one's quick.
Best Locations
walking encounters for Rattata across 34 spots at Lv. 2-20. The catch is that Sun and Moon don't share every location, so compare what's available in your version.
Rattata is meant to evolve into Raticate. At 253 BST, the stats aren't there for competitive play yet. Pre-evolution Pokemon rarely hold up against fully evolved threats.
Watch for Hitmonlee (Fighting) when using Rattata. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 1 weakness means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.
Rattata evolves into Raticate at level 20. Rattata is the base form of this evolutionary line.
Run Away ensures success fleeing from wild battles — that's the one you want on Rattata. Hustle is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses. Guts works too if your team needs something different.
Base 72 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Rattata is a physical attacker with base 56 Attack. Defensively? Fragile — can't afford to take many hits.
Rattata appears in 18 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
Since debuting in Red & Blue, Rattata has appeared in 18 titles over 9 generations. Along the way, it received an Alolan form in Generation 7, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRBDebut

Red & Blue - Gen IIGS

Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS

Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG

FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS

HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP

Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW

Black & White - Gen VB2W2

Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY

X & Y - Gen VIORAS

Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM

Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISMAlolan

Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE

Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh

Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP

Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV

Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A
